All the Things You Never Knew - By Angealica Hewley Page 0,14
that fiancé of Lady Rose?”
“I wouldn’t care less.”
“Oh, you will, my foolish friend. He’s but the Marquess of Lansing!”
That took Leon completely off guard and he looked at Hargate. “Now see here, it‘s no time to joke.”
“This is no joke. While you and Longsword were dancing with pretty madams I was asking around. Chatsworth happened to come by so I questioned him about some of the guests. That fiancé of Lady Rose was one of the guests I asked about.”
“I can’t believe it,” Leon said incredulously. “Right before our very nose? Wait, but if he’s the Marquess of Lansing, that must mean his father is–”
“His father had an accident,” Hargate put in. “He was thrown off a horse or something, according to Chatsworth. That’s his son.”
“Hell!” Leon cursed. “Now what? Am I to be satisfied that he’s already dead?”
“You got his son to take care of,” Hargate chimed in. “Win back Lady Rose in revenge to what his father did. Shouldn’t be that hard.”
“But how are we to know who the other four suspects are if the real Lansing is dead?”
“I’ll investigate in that. Just win your love back.”
“I can’t just rely on you to do everything. It’s as if this was your problem.”
“It’s my duty as a friend,” Hargate said. “Don’t worry.”
“Duty as a friend, my ass!” Leon bellowed throwing his arms out in frustration. “I can’t believe it. I’ve been wasting both yours and Longsword’s time. I should really be searching on my own.”
“Now see here, Heartily. I don’t mind at all. As a member of the House of Lords, I’m here to make sure that justice is served for all the wrongs.”
“You should be doing your duty as a duke and find a wife to bear you an heir,” Leon argued. “You’re not supposed to be doing the dirty work of a bastard like me.” He wasn’t sure what’s gotten into him. A twist of rage just seized him so. “I’m sorry,” he said more softly. “I guess I’ve just been overwhelmed by everything.”
“I understand,” Hargate said. “But trust me, I can find a wife anytime. I’ll help you through your problems first. You don’t have to worry about me not gaining an heir. That’s something for my mother to do.”
“I’m no lord, but I know you have your important duties to tend. Please don’t put me up as priority.”
“Friendship is priority,” Hargate replied. “Duties can wait, unless you let Longsword and I court your sisters, then maybe all this would move along faster.”
Leon gave out a startled laugh and cupped his forehead. “No way in hell,” he said, shaking his head. “Damn, I can’t believe we were just babbling like some old hags on the road.”
Hargate chuckled and nodded in agreement. “Yes, should we get Longsword and go elsewhere? I doubt he’s going to find a countess anyway.”
Leon laughed and nodded.
“Wait here.”
As Hargate strode back inside to get Longsword, Leon’s thought flooded back to the marquess.
The Marquess of Lansing.
Is he really dead?
Could Rose’s fiancé really be the son of that marquess or was Hargate just mistaken?
Things are falling quite fast that Leon couldn’t seem to catch and organize them all.
If Rose’s fiancé was the son of the marquess, what is he to do? He couldn’t actually let her be with the son of a murderer, could he?
But if she’s happy…
Hell! Why are things always so complicated when it comes to Rose? She deserves better, yes. The marquess would be a good match, but if he’s Lansing’s son…Well, that just threw off everything.
What is he to do? Take Hargate’s suggestion?
No, he shook his head.
He can’t. There has to be another way.
But what other way is there?
CHAPTER FOUR
Dawson House
“Ah, Susy, wasn’t the ball a delight?” Rose asked, sighing dreamily
as they returned home and dropped down on her bed. “I had such a wonderful evening dancing with Marcus.”
“I did, too,” Susannah said, going behind the screen to change out of her gown into something lighter for the night.
“I saw you dancing with a charming young gentleman. I was quite surprise.”
“I was, too,” Susannah said, coming around to the other side of Rose and prop down.
“You two looked like Cinderella and Prince Charming.”
“Do we?” Susannah smiled. “He was a Prince Charming. I almost couldn’t believe it.”
“Yes, you in your lovely blue laced gown and him in his navy blue coat and dark breeches. Quite a manly figure. His arse looks rather nice, eh?”
“Oh, I didn’t know you were looking,” Susannah scoffed. “I thought you had your full attention to that